Thursday, March 29, 2012

Longtime favorite Joe's Bar on East Sixth Street has remained closed since proprietor Joe Vajda died this past Thanksgiving. (Joe's opened in that space in 1973. Joe and two other partners previously had a place across the street.)

Richard Corton confirmed that he and his business partner Kirk Marcoe, who own Mona's and Sophie's, have signed a lease and sales contract with Dottie.

Which will all be good news for anyone tired of bars with drinks toting, say, heritage pork-infused artisanal ice cubes and shaved nutmeg. And good news for people who really like the neighborhood aspect of Joe's (and great neighborhood bars like Sophie's and Mona's), something in short supply around here these days. Corton isn't expecting to modify much about Joe's.

"Small changes. Clean up. Maybe, if we feel ambitious, we might redo the wallpaper with exactly the same wallpaper. We love that wallpaper but it is in really bad shape," Corton said via Facebook.

Meanwhile, Corton and Marcoe need to seek the approval of CB3 (they are on April's agenda) and obtain a Letter of No Objection from the DOB. If all goes well, then they plan to open this July.

One last detail.

"Per Dottie's request, we are gonna change the name," Corton said. "Joe's will become Josie's."

I can't tell you how happy this makes me. This is the best news we've had in a LONG while. I loved Joe's because it was quiet, unpretentious and friendly. Mona's and Sophie's are both excellent neighborhood places and Josie's will make the perfect addition to the family.

@Anonymous 2:56 PM: In my opinion, humble as it is, bars aren't about beers, they're about the people inside of them and the folks that own them and work there. And my times at Joe's, the place was always filled with an A-1 crowd in front of the bar and behind it. I'm looking forward to opening night!

I hope everyone shows their support for this bar like they did for Joe. Joe's was awesome, especially if the old timers remember all the "free" New Year's buffets and music that went on there! Good luck to Dottie with her retirement, RIP Joe (you're the best!) and good luck to the hopefully new owners Rich and Kirk. You all deserve a big pat on the back! Can't wait to come to the bar again. It has some really fond memories for me and my family over the past 30 plus years!!!

Named Best Local Website New York 2014 by The Village Voice

Named one of the Essential New York City neighborhood blogs

By the way

Here, you'll find things that you may or may not be interested in about the East Village and other parts of New York City. Appreciating what's here while it's still here. Remembering what's no longer here. Wishing some things weren't here that are here.

We love tips

Have a story idea or tip about something happening in the East Village? Or maybe a photo? Or several photos? Or video! We'd love to hear about it. Or see it. Or something. Please go here to submit a tip.

Named Best Neighborhood Blog in the First Annual Village Voice Web Awards